Barbering and Cosmetology

Summary of Draft Proposed Rules for the Barbering and Cosmetology Advisory Board

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Disclaimer: This document is only a summary and should not be relied upon by any person for any purpose. The actual text of the proposed rules as published in the Texas Register will control in the event of any discrepancy with this document.

Last Updated: August 19, 2022

Overview of House Bill (HB) 1560 Changes

  • Barbering (BAR) and Cosmetology (COS) combine into one program: Barbering and Cosmetology (BAC).
  • BAR and COS license types consolidate into new BAC license types:
    • Schools can teach BAR and COS.
    • Establishments can provide BAR and COS.
    • Practitioners can perform BAR and COS, except:
      • Only a Class A Barber can shave with straight razor.
      • A Class A Barber cannot apply eyelash extensions.

Transition Plan

  • January 1, 2023
    • Target effective date of rules.
    • TDLR will still be issuing BAR and COS license types (until September 1, 2023).
    • Health and safety standards will be standardized across BAR and COS.
    • Establishments can provide both BAR and COS services.
      • License requirements will be standardized across BAR and COS establishments.
      • Dual shop license becomes unnecessary.
    • Practitioner license requirements will remain largely unchanged at this time.
  • August 1, 2023
    • New curriculum standards take effect (in time for fall semester).
  • September 1, 2023
    • All BAR and COS license types convert to BAC license types.
    • Only BAC license types will be issued by TDLR.
    • Schools can request approval to provide BAR and COS courses.

Rule Highlights

  • Transition provisions specify, for each BAR and COS license type:
    • Which BAC license type it will convert to on Sept. 1, 2023, and
    • What services may be offered until the license converts.
  • Exemption for BAR schools
    • BAR schools can continue to operate without building walls to separate the classroom from the laboratory area.
    • This exemption expires when the school is relocated or its license expires for more than 18 months.
  • Standardized age and education requirements for practitioners
    • Must be 17 years old.
      • (BAR currently requires 16 years; COS currently requires 17 years)
    • Removes general education requirements.
      • (BAR currently requires 7th grade completion; COS currently requires high school diploma or GED.)
  • Financial responsibility for private schools
    • New private school applicants must provide a financial statement showing the school can operate for 12 months without relying on student tuition.
  • Continuing education (CE)
    • Practitioners must complete 4 hours of CE to renew their license. (BAR currently requires none; COS currently requires 4 hours.)
      • Includes 1 hour on sanitation.
      • Includes 1 hour on human trafficking prevention (new).
      • Adds mental health awareness as an approved CE topic.
    • BAR practitioners are exempt from this CE requirement until September 1, 2025.
  • Substantial equivalence
    • For the Class A Barber and Operator licenses, work history can count for up to 300 hours of education.
      • (BAR currently allows up to 500 hours; COS currently does not allow this.)
  • Inspections
    • Changed from periodic inspections to risk-based inspections.
    • Adds reference to Chapter 60 rules, which standardize inspection provisions for all TDLR programs.
  • Responsibilities of establishments
    • Equipment requirements are standardized based on the services provided by the establishment.
  • Responsibilities of schools
    • Updated and standardized requirements for reporting, supplies, equipment, and signage.
    • Schools may not award credit for more than 184 hours each month.
  • Fees
    • Starting September 1, 2023, TDLR will issue the new BAC license types, with new fee structures.
  • Health and safety standards
    • Alcohol will not be allowed as a disinfectant. (BAR currently allows; COS currently does not allow.)
  • Curriculum standards (effective August 1, 2023)
    • Schools can teach Class A Barber and Operator students in same class for 700 hours (of total 1,000-hour program).
    • Includes course requirements for new Hair Weaver/Esthetician
    • Provides added flexibility for schools to focus on certain subjects.
    • Reduces hours in manicurist/esthetician curriculum from 1,200 to 800 hours.
    • Increases the hours allowed to be completed on field trips from 5% to 10%.
  • Future rule updates will remove transition provisions and address ideas not implemented in this rulemaking.